Celebrating different notes in the perfumery | thescentbase.com

The Olfactory Library

Welcome to the building blocks of the invisible art. If a perfume is a symphony, then these are the individual notes on the sheet music—the singular elements that the perfumer arranges to create a melody that lingers on your skin.


Whether you are here to understand why you adore Vetiver but detest Patchouli, or simply to find out what "Iso E Super" actually is, this library is your guide.

Florals

The undisputed heart of perfumery, ranging from the innocent whisper of a spring muguet to the narcotic, carnal shout of a tuberose. These notes provide the romance and the texture, proving that flowers are far too complex to be considered merely 'pretty'.

Geranium note image

Geranium

Often called the 'man's rose.' It smells floral but with a sharp, minty, green edge.

Campion Flower note image

Campion Flower

A mild wildflower scent. It evokes English hedgerows and countryside.

Cyclamen note image

Cyclamen

A clean, mysterious floral scent. It smells fresh, slightly soapy, and cool.

Ashoka Flower note image

Ashoka Flower

A sacred Indian flower with a soft, orange-like floral scent. It is culturally significant and smells gently exotic.

Banksia Australian note image

Banksia Australian

An Australian wildflower with a nectar-rich, honeyed scent. It evokes the rugged beauty of the bush.

Cannonball Flower note image

Cannonball Flower

A large tropical flower with a complex scent of rose and jasmine. It is heady and exotic.

Laurel Blossom note image

Laurel Blossom

The flower of the bay tree. It smells floral with a spicy herbal edge.

Chai Hu note image

Chai Hu

A Chinese medicinal root. It smells earthy and bitter.

Bluebell note image

Bluebell

A dewy, green floral scent that is notoriously hard to extract. It smells like a damp English forest floor in spring.

Bromelia note image

Bromelia

Tropical plants (like pineapple) with sweet, watery floral scents. They feel exotic and lush.

Camellia note image

Camellia

A flower with very little natural scent, represented in perfume as a fresh, tea-like floral. It feels wet and elegant.

Iris Butter note image

Iris Butter

Orris butter. Extremely expensive, fatty, and creamy, smelling of violets and dry wood.

Bread Flower note image

Bread Flower

A flower that reputedly smells like baking bread or boiled rice. A rare botanical oddity.

Banana Flower note image

Banana Flower

A subtle floral scent that hints at the fruit but is greener and more powdery. It feels tropical but elegant.

Chinotto blossom note image

Chinotto blossom

The flower of the Myrtle-leaved orange tree. It smells like neroli with a darker twist.

Purple Coneflower note image

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea. Honeyed and earthy.

Coconut Blossom note image

Coconut Blossom

Floral and slightly waxy. It hints at the fruit but is airier.

Pineapple Blossom note image

Pineapple Blossom

Floral with fruity overtones.

Petunia note image

Petunia

Spicy and clove-like at night, though often scentless in breeding.

Nasturtium note image

Nasturtium

Peppery flower. Smells green and spicy, like cress.

View All Florals Notes

Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes

This is the scent of the orchard and the vegetable patch rather than the patisserie, capturing the crisp snap of an apple or the earthy grit of a carrot. These notes add a mouth-watering texture and vitality, bringing a sense of abundance and natural realism that prevents a fragrance from feeling too abstract.

Cepes note image

Cepes

Porcini mushrooms. They smell earthy, fleshy, and savory.

Bearberry note image

Bearberry

A small red berry found in cold climates, smelling tart and dry. It adds a crisp, wild fruitiness.

Frosted Berries note image

Frosted Berries

Berries with a cold, icy aspect. Sugary and sharp.

Forest Fruits note image

Forest Fruits

Mixed berries—blackberry, raspberry, blueberry. Juicy and dark.

Guava note image

Guava

Pungent tropical fruit. It smells musky, sweet, and faintly of cat pee (in a characteristic way).

Cherry Jam note image

Cherry Jam

Cooked cherries and sugar. Intense, sticky fruitiness.

Acerola note image

Acerola

A bright, zesty cherry-like fruit that is more sour than sweet. It adds a high-pitched Vitamin C freshness to fruity fragrances.

Walnut note image

Walnut

Oily, woody, and slightly bitter nut.

Currant Leaf and Bud note image

Currant Leaf and Bud

Cassis. It smells green, fruity, tart, and animalic.

Passionfruit note image

Passionfruit

Maracuja. Tart, sweet, and sulfurous. It smells intense and tropical.

Pumpkin note image

Pumpkin

Creamy, earthy squash. Ideally not the spiced latte variety, but the vegetable itself.

Nectarine note image

Nectarine

Peach without the fuzz. Juicy, sweet, and smooth.

Moepel Accord note image

Moepel Accord

Milkwood. Smells honeyed, milky, and tobacco-like.

Blackberry note image

Blackberry

Dark, juicy, and sweet-tart. It smells deeply fruity with a hint of musk, evocative of hedgerows in late summer.

Green Anjou Pears note image

Green Anjou Pears

Crisp and watery pear. Less sweet than other varieties.

Ashberry note image

Ashberry

The fruit of the Rowan tree, smelling tart, bitter, and wild. It adds a sharp, foraging vibe to fruity notes.

Peruvian Pepper note image

Peruvian Pepper

Pink pepper. Spicy but fruity and sweet.

Green Plum note image

Green Plum

Unripe plum. Sour, firm, and tart.

Cupuaçu, Cupuassu, Copoasu note image

Cupuaçu, Cupuassu, Copoasu

Amazonian fruit related to cacao. Smells like chocolate and pineapple.

Pineapple note image

Pineapple

Juicy, acidic, and sweet. A key component of Aventus, adding a bright yellow burst.

View All Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes Notes

Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells

These are the sensual heavyweights that linger on the skin long after the citrus has fled, providing warmth, depth, and a certain human intimacy. From the cozy, golden glow of amber to the primitive, purring growl of civet, these notes transform a simple scent into a living, breathing entity.

Ambertonic™ (IFF) note image

Ambertonic™ (IFF)

A modern molecule that is deep, musky, and woody with a dry heat. It gives a fragrance a contemporary, vibrating trail.

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

Sylkolide note image

Sylkolide

A refined musk. Fruity and powdery.

Tolu Balsam note image

Tolu Balsam

Sweet resin. Cinnamon and vanilla scent.

Amber Xtreme note image

Amber Xtreme

An incredibly powerful woody-amber note that projects for miles. It can be sharp and dry, cutting through even the heaviest compositions.

Musk note image

Musk

The sensual fog that holds a perfume together. Can be clean (laundry) or dirty (skin).

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

A vegan musk molecule with fruity, floral undertones. It brings a soft, soapy cleanliness and exceptional longevity.

Milk note image

Milk

Creamy, lactonic, and comforting. It adds a nursery-soft texture.

Velvione™ note image

Velvione™

Powdery musk. Similar to Ambrette.

Daim note image

Daim

The French term for suede; it smells softer and more velvety than full leather. It evokes the inside of a luxury handbag.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

A specific textured leather print (Prada). Smells clean, synthetic, and expensive.

Skatole note image

Skatole

Fecal in high concentration, floral (white flower) in low. Essential for realistic jasmine.

Ambrette (Musk Mallow) note image

Ambrette (Musk Mallow)

A vegetal musk derived from seeds, smelling of pear brandy and clean skin. It is one of the few natural musks and feels incredibly sophisticated.

Oysters note image

Oysters

Salt water and minerals. A raw marine scent.

BBQ note image

BBQ

Smoky, savory, and charred. It evokes open fires and grilled meat—a bold, atmospheric choice.

Carrot Seeds note image

Carrot Seeds

Dry, woody, and earthy. It acts as a bridge between iris notes and woods.

Meat note image

Meat

Raw or cooked flesh. Iron-like, savory, and primal.

Civet note image

Civet

Pungent and fecal in isolation, but magically warms up florals when used with a light hand. It creates that lived-in, intimate skin scent found in classic perfumery.

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

A refined, elegant musk. It adds a subtle animalic radiance and polish.

View All Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells Notes

Beverages

Whether it is the effervescent joy of champagne, the roasted bitterness of espresso, or the warming embrace of a good cognac, these notes add a distinct 'flavour' to the air. They invoke specific moods and social rituals, taking the wearer from a morning café to a dimly lit jazz bar in a single spritz.

Liquor note image

Liquor

Generic alcohol note. Sharp, volatile, and warming.

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

Specifically the steamed, pressurized bean smell. Energizing and bitter.

Espresso note image

Espresso

Concentrated, bitter coffee. Dark, roasted, and intense.

Jasmine Tea note image

Jasmine Tea

Green tea infused with jasmine blossoms. It smells steamy, floral, and soothing.

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

Tequila, lime, and blue curaçao. It smells salty, citrusy, and neon-sweet.

Whiskey note image

Whiskey

Oak barrels, grain, and peat. Warm and boozy.

Baileys Irish Cream note image

Baileys Irish Cream

Cream, cocoa, and whiskey notes blended into a rich liqueur. It creates a smooth, lactonic booziness that is very cozy.

Mai Tai Cocktail note image

Mai Tai Cocktail

Rum, lime, and orgeat (almond). Tropical, boozy, and sweet.

Moscow Mule note image

Moscow Mule

Ginger beer and vodka. Spicy, limey, and cold.

Cherry Liqueur note image

Cherry Liqueur

Boozy, sweet cherry. It adds a dark, cocktail vibe.

Raki note image

Raki

Turkish anise spirit. Smells of licorice and grapes.

Cognac note image

Cognac

Aged grape brandy. It smells warm, fruity, woody, and expensive.

Cream Soda note image

Cream Soda

Vanilla, fizzy water, and sugar. It smells frothy and sweet.

Mezcal note image

Mezcal

Smoky tequila. Agave, smoke, and earth.

Mojito note image

Mojito

Mint, lime, rum, and sugar. Fresh and zesty.

Kava Drink note image

Kava Drink

Earthy, muddy, and pepper-like. It smells distinctly rooty.

Midori note image

Midori

Melon liqueur. Sweet, green, and artificial.

Buttered Rum note image

Buttered Rum

Hot rum with butter and spices. It is rich, oily, and intoxicatingly warm.

Plum Liquor note image

Plum Liquor

Sweet, boozy fruit. Like Umeshu.

Amarula note image

Amarula

A creamy liqueur note from the Marula fruit, smelling of caramel and fruit. It is milky and exotic, evocative of an African sunset.

View All Beverages Notes

Molecules, Minerals & Curiosities

This is the avant-garde laboratory of the perfumer, featuring everything from the smell of hot rain on asphalt to the invisible radiance of Iso E Super. These notes are often less about a specific 'smell' and more about a texture, a feeling, or an atmospheric vibration that gives modern fragrances their edge.

Pebbles note image

Pebbles

Cold stone. Mineral and dry.

Cascalone note image

Cascalone

A marine molecule that smells fresh, watery, and slightly fruity. It’s a modern oceanic note.

Indole note image

Indole

The 'dirty' note found in white flowers (and decay). It smells mothball-like and fecal, but adds a necessary lushness to florals.

Blood note image

Blood

Metallic, salty, and disturbing. It’s an avant-garde note used to create shock or a primal feeling.

CO2 Extracts note image

CO2 Extracts

A method of extraction that produces hyper-realistic scents. They smell exactly like the raw material.

Chalk note image

Chalk

Dry, powdery, and mineral. It evokes classrooms and cliffs.

Clarycet note image

Clarycet

A synthetic smelling of sage and fruit. It is herbal and wine-like.

Copper note image

Copper

A metallic smell, warm and slightly sweet/bloody. It smells like loose change.

Coal note image

Coal

Dusty, black, and mineral. It adds a soot-like darkness.

Credit Cards note image

Credit Cards

A fantasy scent of plastic and ambition. Smells new and synthetic.

Mascarpone Cheese note image

Mascarpone Cheese

Creamy, mild cheese. Lactonic and rich.

Prunol note image

Prunol

A famous base smelling of dried plums, cardamom, and aldehydes. Vintage funk.

Silk note image

Silk

A fantasy texture. Smooth, cool, and airy.

Ink note image

Ink

Smells of metallic salts, charcoal, and damp wood. It evokes melancholy letters and calligraphy.

latex note image

latex

Rubber and plastic. It smells industrial, fetishistic, and smooth.

Isobutyl Quinoline note image

Isobutyl Quinoline

A powerhouse synthetic leather note. It smells green, mossy, and incredibly sharp.

Ionones note image

Ionones

The molecules that give violet and iris their scent. They smell powdery, woody, and like berry candy.

Norlimbanol™ note image

Norlimbanol™

A powerful dry wood synthetic. Smells dusty and animalic.

Candle Wax note image

Candle Wax

Paraffin or beeswax scent. It smells waxy, fatty, and faintly smoky.

Neoprene note image

Neoprene

Wetsuit rubber. Chemical and slightly salty.

View All Molecules, Minerals & Curiosities Notes

Gourmand

An unapologetically hedonistic category dedicated to the pleasures of the patisserie, featuring dripping caramel, fluffy cotton candy, and rich chocolate. While purists may scoff, there is a profound, primal comfort in these sugary notes that bypasses the brain and goes straight to the stomach—and the heart.

Woods & Earth

The stoic backbone of fragrance, grounding the flightier notes with the scent of ancient trunks, dry bark, and the damp, shadowed floor of the forest. Ranging from the creamy spirituality of sandalwood to the dry, pencil-shaving snap of cedar, these notes provide structure, longevity, and a timeless elegance.

Chypre Notes note image

Chypre Notes

The classic accord of bergamot, labdanum, and oakmoss. It smells elegant, mossy, and abstract.

Thuja note image

Thuja

Arborvitae. Cedar-like and fruity.

Araucaria note image

Araucaria

Also known as the Monkey Puzzle tree, its wood smells resinous and piney. It is a rare note that adds an ancient, coniferous feel.

Himalayan Cedar note image

Himalayan Cedar

Cedarwood from the mountains. It smells drier and sweeter than Virginian cedar.

Apple Tree note image

Apple Tree

A woody note with hints of fruit and sap. It grounds the fruitiness with a solid, bark-like texture.

Dreamwood note image

Dreamwood

A sustainable sandalwood alternative from biotechnology. It smells creamy, milky, and warm.

Rhizoma Atractylodis note image

Rhizoma Atractylodis

Chinese root. Pungent and earthy.

Ditax wood note image

Ditax wood

A rare wood from Senegal. It smells dry and slightly fruity.

Yohimbe note image

Yohimbe

African bark. Woody and medicinal.

Palo Verde Tree note image

Palo Verde Tree

A desert tree. Smells green and woody.

Amyris note image

Amyris

Often called 'West Indian Sandalwood,' it is woody but slightly balsamic and oily. It’s a reliable workhorse wood that smells creamy and resinous.

Pua Keni Keni (Pua-Lulu) note image

Pua Keni Keni (Pua-Lulu)

Hawaiian flower. Smells rich, creamy, and tuberose-like.

Hiba note image

Hiba

A Japanese cypress. It smells intensely woody, cedar-like, and citrusy.

Mango Tree note image

Mango Tree

Woody and green.

Woody Notes note image

Woody Notes

A general base note. Dry, warm, and structured.

Sawdust note image

Sawdust

Freshly cut wood. Dry and powdery.

Tatami note image

Tatami

Straw mats. Dry, grassy, and calming.

Pink Ipê Tree note image

Pink Ipê Tree

Handroanthus. A floral wood scent.

Mysore Sandalwood note image

Mysore Sandalwood

The gold standard. Milky, buttery, and incredibly smooth. Sadly endangered.

Satinwood note image

Satinwood

Woody and smooth.

View All Woods & Earth Notes

White Flowers

A distinct league of floral powerhouses including Tuberose, Jasmine, and Gardenia, known for their creamy, narcotic heaviness that often intensifies as the sun goes down. Unlike their shy daylight cousins, these blooms possess a carnal, indolic undertone—a whisper of animalic warmth amidst the sweetness—that makes them unapologetically sensual and dominating.

Belanis note image

Belanis

A synthetic molecule that smells of anise and white florals. It bridges the gap between spice and petal.

Boronia note image

Boronia

A rare Australian flower with a complex scent of fruit, wood, and violet. It is expensive and highly prized.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Carissa note image

Carissa

Natal Plum blossoms, smelling similar to gardenia and jasmine. A lush, white floral.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

An African flower smelling of jasmine, chocolate, and spices. It is rich and dark.

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

A tree with white flowers that smell intensely sweet and honeyed, similar to orange blossom but heavier.

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

A genre (Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia). Indolic, creamy, and heady.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

The King of Flowers. It can smell fresh and tea-like or heavy, animalic, and narcotic depending on the variety.

Lily note image

Lily

Spicy, waxy, and heady. It smells regal and sometimes slightly salty/meaty.

Datura note image

Datura

A poisonous flower with a narcotic, almond-like floral scent. It smells dangerous, heavy, and hypnotic.

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

Plumeria. Thick, creamy, and tropical, smelling of almonds and fruit. It is the scent of a holiday.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

Nectar-heavy, sunny, and sweet. It captures the smell of warm summer evenings perfectly.

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

Waxy white floral with a citrus edge. Fresh and pretty.

Arum Lily note image

Arum Lily

A fleshy white floral scent that can be slightly animalic. It smells grand and imposing, like a wedding bouquet.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

Ipomoea alba. A night-blooming vine smelling sweet and musky.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

View All White Flowers Notes

Botanicals & Aromatics

This is the scent of the apothecary’s garden and the gentleman’s barber, full of crushed leaves, bracing mint, and the calming herbaceousness of lavender. These notes cut through heat and heaviness with a savory, green clarity that feels restorative, intelligent, and famously spirited.

Portulaca or Pigweed note image

Portulaca or Pigweed

Succulent green weed. Slightly sour.

Davana note image

Davana

A chameleon herb that smells of dried fruit, wine, and tea. It shifts on every skin, sometimes smelling balsamic, sometimes herbal.

Genmaicha note image

Genmaicha

Green tea with roasted brown rice. Smells grassy and toasty/popcorn-like.

Hops note image

Hops

Bitter, green, and resinous. It smells like IPA beer and cannabis.

Hat Straw note image

Hat Straw

Dried grass and sun. Evokes summer hats and baskets.

Huang Lian note image

Huang Lian

Coptis Chinensis. Extremely bitter and earthy herb.

Green Forest note image

Green Forest

A fantasy accord of pine, moss, and leaves. Fresh and shady.

Cactus note image

Cactus

Green, watery, and succulent. It evokes the desert after rain, fresh and clean.

Tomato Leaf note image

Tomato Leaf

Fuzzy, green, and astringent. The smell of a greenhouse.

Angelica Root note image

Angelica Root

Earthier and muskier than the plant, with a damp soil quality. It serves as a fantastic natural fixative with a dark green character.

Roseroot note image

Roseroot

Rhodiola. The root smells like roses.

Henna note image

Henna

Earthy, dry, and hay-like. It smells like the powdered dye.

Rue note image

Rue

Bitter herb. Pungent and acrid.

Aromatic Notes note image

Aromatic Notes

A broad family including sage, rosemary, and lavender. These notes are spirited, clean, and bracing—the backbone of men's perfumery.

Lesser Calamint note image

Lesser Calamint

A mint variety smelling of pennyroyal and oregano. Sharp and herbal.

Grass note image

Grass

Freshly cut lawn. Green, sweet, and chlorophyll-heavy.

Mimosa Leaves note image

Mimosa Leaves

Green, cucumber-like, and dusty.

Lapsang Souchong Tea note image

Lapsang Souchong Tea

Tea smoked over pinewood. It smells strongly of campfire, leather, and smoke.

Artemisia note image

Artemisia

Herbal, bitter, and green, famously used in vermouth. It provides a cool, dry, and somewhat austere character.

Polygonum note image

Polygonum

Knotweed. Smells earthy and green.

View All Botanicals & Aromatics Notes

Spices

These ingredients bring the heat and the vibration, adding a three-dimensional hum to a composition that tickles the nose and wakes up the palate. From the cooling, camphorous touch of cardamom to the fiery crackle of black pepper, spices prevent a fragrance from ever feeling flat or boring.

Caraway note image

Caraway

Spicy, anise-like seeds often found in rye bread. It adds a savory, sharp aromatic quality.

Wasabi note image

Wasabi

Horseradish-like heat. Pungent and green.

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

Dry, herbal, and aromatic, often used in cooking. In perfume, it adds a savory, leafy crispness.

Curcuma (Turmeric) note image

Curcuma (Turmeric)

Earthy, dusty, and slightly ginger-like. It adds a dry yellow spice note.

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper note image

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper

A pepper variety with a camphorous, allspice-like scent. Cooler than black pepper.

Curry Tree note image

Curry Tree

The leaves used in Indian cooking. They smell citrusy, herbal, and distinct.

Coriander note image

Coriander

The seed, not the leaf. It smells woody, spicy, citrusy, and warm.

Carum note image

Carum

Another name for Caraway. Spicy, anise-like, and sharp.

Galanga note image

Galanga

Galangal (Thai Ginger). Smells like ginger but more citrusy, piney, and medicinal.

Fennel note image

Fennel

Sweet, green anise flavor. It adds a cool, herbal licorice note.

Cloves note image

Cloves

Intense, hot, and numbing spice. It contains high levels of Eugenol and smells medicinal and warm.

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

The hottest chili pepper. In perfume, it adds an aggressive, tingling heat.

Coffee CO2 note image

Coffee CO2

A photorealistic roasted coffee bean extract. It smells exactly like an espresso bar.

Cacao Pod note image

Cacao Pod

The raw bean smell—bitter, dusty, and earthy. It is chocolate before the sugar is added.

Pimento note image

Pimento

Allspice berry. Clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg rolled into one.

Pimento Seeds note image

Pimento Seeds

Peppery and dry.

Green Coffee note image

Green Coffee

Unroasted beans. They smell vegetal, pea-like, and grassy.

Allspice note image

Allspice

A warm spice rack in a single note, smelling of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg combined. It feels festive and warming, perfect for winter.

Coffee note image

Coffee

Dark, roasted, and energizing, bringing a bitter gourmand edge. It grounds sweetness and adds a restless, urban energy to a scent.

Mace note image

Mace

The outer covering of nutmeg. Smells similar but sweeter and softer.

View All Spices Notes

Resins And Balsams

The ancient tears of trees, these materials have been burned in rituals for millennia and bring a sacred, meditative smoke to perfumery. They are thick, sticky, and profoundly complex, offering a sweet, leathery darkness that feels like a protective cloak against the cold.

Styrax note image

Styrax

Sweet, spicy, and leather-like resin. Smells of plastic and balsam.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

Oil from prickly juniper, smelling intensely smoky and tarry. It creates the campfire effect.

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

A resin that smells of mushrooms, licorice, and earth. It is darker and stranger than frankincense.

Elemi note image

Elemi

A resin that smells surprisingly like lemon, pine, and pepper. It is bright and balsamic.

Coal Tar note image

Coal Tar

Pungent, medicinal, and asphalt-like. It smells like fresh pavement.

Copal note image

Copal

A resin used in incense in Mexico. It smells bright, lemony, and piney.

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

Roasted Sal tree resin. It smells leathery, smoky, and woody.

Amberwood note image

Amberwood

A sturdy blend of amber warmth and dry cedar-like woodiness. It acts as a strong pillar holding up the rest of the scent structure.

Mastic or Lentisque note image

Mastic or Lentisque

A resin from the Mediterranean. Smells distinctively green, piney, and crisp.

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Bisabolene note image

Bisabolene

A terpene that smells balsamic, woody, and slightly citrusy. It is often found in myrrh and opoponax.

Balsamic Vinegar note image

Balsamic Vinegar

Acidic, fruity, and aged, with a dark sweetness. It adds a sharp, gourmet counterpoint to sweet notes like strawberry.

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

Copaiba balsam. It smells woody, spicy, and mild.

Pine Tar note image

Pine Tar

Smoky, leathery, and dark. Smells of campfires and ships.

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

The cornerstone of amber accords. It smells leathery, sweet, dirty, and warm all at once.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

A desert plant with a waxy bark that burns brightly. It smells resinous, incense-like, and sweet.

Balsamic Notes note image

Balsamic Notes

A group of resinous materials like benzoin and myrrh that smell warm, sweet, and thick. They wrap a fragrance in a cozy amber blanket.

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

The concentrated essence of smoke and leather derived from birch. It is intensely phenolic, smelling like a bonfire.

View All Resins And Balsams Notes

Citrus

The sunshine of the fragrance world, these volatile oils provide the sparkling opening act that greets you the moment the mist hits the air. While they are fleeting by nature, their zesty, sour-sweet optimism is essential for lifting the heavier materials and preventing a perfume from feeling like a lead weight.

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

A Japanese citrus hybrid. Smells like sour orange and grapefruit.

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

Makrut lime. The leaves smell intensely sharp, green, and uniquely Thai cuisine-like.

Rangpur note image

Rangpur

A lemon-mandarin hybrid. Very acidic and floral.

Quenepa note image

Quenepa

Spanish Lime. Sour and jelly-like fruit.

Shiikuwasha note image

Shiikuwasha

Okinawa Lime. Sour and tangerine-like.

Bergamot note image

Bergamot

The finest of citruses, famous for giving Earl Grey tea its distinct aroma. It’s bitter, tart, and floral all at once—the perfect opening act.

Grapefruit note image

Grapefruit

Bitter, zesty, and slightly sulfurous. It is uplifting and distinctly modern.

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

Caviar lime. It smells incredibly sharp, zesty, and exploding with sourness.

Chen Pi note image

Chen Pi

Sun-dried tangerine peel. It smells citrusy but aged and slightly medicinal.

Clementine note image

Clementine

Sweet, juicy, and seedless citrus. It smells happier and less acidic than orange.

Mandarin Orange note image

Mandarin Orange

Sweeter and less acidic than orange. It smells candy-like and joyous.

Hatkora Lemon note image

Hatkora Lemon

A citrus used in Bengal. The thick rind smells incredibly oily and zest-heavy.

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

Zesty and sharp, lacking the sugar of sweet oranges. It provides a refreshing, adult citrus note.

Lime note image

Lime

Sharper, drier, and more tropical than lemon. It has a distinct 'cola' nuance.

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Lemon note image

Lemon

Bright, acidic, and sunny. It can smell like fresh zest or cleaning fluid depending on the quality.

Citrus Water note image

Citrus Water

Diluted citrus scent. It smells faint, clean, and splashy.

Litsea Cubeba note image

Litsea Cubeba

May Chang. An shrub that smells intensely like lemon sherbet sweets.

Buddha's hand note image

Buddha's hand

A strange citrus fruit smelling of lemon zest and flowers without the juice. It is dry and aromatic.

View All Citrus Notes

Assorted

A curated cabinet of curiosities for the notes that defy our desire for neat little boxes, yet remain absolutely essential to the perfumer's palette. Here you will find the outliers and the individualists, ingredients that possess a character so distinct they refuse to sit quietly with the flowers or the fruits.